Katy Perry wins trademark battle in Australia after being sued by designer Katie Perry
The judges pointed out that Perry had been using her name as a trademark five years before Katie Taylor - who trades under her birth name - started her business
by Emma Wilkes · NMEKaty Perry has successfully appealed against a trademark case over her name after she was sued by an Australian designer who trades under her birth name Katie Perry.
Three appeals judges overturned a court decision that favoured the designer, Katie Taylor, over merchandise sold by Perry during a 2014 tour of Australia.
The judges pointed out that Perry had been using her name as a trademark five years before Taylor started her business and by that time, Perry had attained an “international reputation” in entertainment. They also cancelled Taylor’s trademark registration.
In addition, they acknowledged that it was “unfortunate” that the case pitted two women against each other who used their names as trademarks but weren’t aware of each other’s existence.
“Both women put blood, sweat and tears into developing their businesses,” the judges said. “As the fame of one grew internationally, the other became aware of her namesake and filed a trademark application.”
“This is a tale of two women, two teenage dreams and one name.”
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In response, Taylor told The Sydney Morning Herald: “I am devastated with the outcome of the case. I won my case at first instance and to have it overturned on appeal is heartbreaking.
“This case proves a trademark isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. My fashion label has been a dream of mine since I was 11 years old, and now that dream that I have worked so hard for since 2006 has been taken away.
“I will take some time to digest today’s decision and work out my next steps with my legal team and circle of supporters.”
In other news, Perry has announced a 2025 UK tour, with £1 from every ticket going to Music Venue Trust (MVT).
Her relationship to the UK’s grassroots scene stems from her first performances in the country in 2008, when she played in small venues across London. On her decision to support MVT, she said: “I’m proud to donate £1 from every ticket on the UK leg of ‘The Lifetimes Tour’ to Music Venue Trust so that venues like Water Rats and Scala, where I played my first UK shows, can continue to usher in the next generation of music talent.”
The ‘Teenage Dream’ singer will kick off the string of shows at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro Arena on October 7, before she heads to Manchester, Sheffield and Birmingham. She’ll then wrap up the tour at London’s O2 Arena on October 13. You can find a full list of dates and venues below.
Tickets are now on sale, and available here.
Katy Perry’s 2025 UK tour dates are:
OCTOBER
7 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
8 – AO Arena, Manchester
10 – Utilita Arena, Sheffield
11 – Utilitia Arena, Birmingham
13 – The O2, London